Album: Masterpiece
Artist: Carl Craig
Label: Ministry of Sound
Release Date: 24/6/2013
The on-going situation in Detroit was recently described as a 'slow-motion Katrina'. Carl Craig agreed. Perhaps it is the juxtaposition between a musical output that is laced with futurism - and surroundings that are degrading day by day - that gives Detroit's artists a certain fiery immediacy - a want to create and share their vision.
Carl Craig has been around the block - inspiring and surprising crowds and artists the world over for two decades over. A jazz impresario, experimentalist, teacher, Grammy-nominated composer and techno DJ Craig is a man with far-reaching aspirations. The aptly named Ministry of Sound 'Masterpiece' series sets out to examine - in detail - what makes the giants of electronica tick. It is divided into three discs: 'Aspiration' is a mix of newer material - what Craig plays out in clubs, what he enjoys currently and a nod to his Detroit brethren. 'Inspiration' is a journey through his influences, past, present and left-field. The third disc, 'Meditation', features six previously unreleased tracks from Craig and charts what feels like a dark, alien exploration of its makers mind.
Experiencing this window into an artists mind is both interesting and flippant. The work is both egotistically charged and a valuable rarity. The first disc opens with the dusty, metallic, analogue crunches of 'Zug Island' by Kyle Hall & Kero. Welcome to Detroit. Thick with lo-fi, compression heavy vibes 69 - Poi Et Pas (ROD Remix) with its clapping crescendo embodies a dark, moody style that is present in both the sound and the rough and ready mixing style. In the latter stages the shadow lifts and the unmistakable Roland patterns of 'Egyptian Lover' give a needed dose of positivity. Be it unoriginal and safe (see: the inclusion of his Trago edit). Next to the other more 'intellectually' interesting mixes, 'Aspiration' seems less valuable and uninspiring.
Disc Two opens with a time-machine in the form of The Messengers - 'In the Jungle' as Vietnam GI's and pirate radio flood the retina of your mind's eye. The idea of 'Inspiration' is a good one on paper. However as Craig flits from motown, to David Lynch to Derrick May you find yourself sitting like an onlooker - detached from someone else’s memories. It it Disc 3, 'Meditation', that is the real jewel of the package. Picture a train cart riding a rail that leads endlessly on towards the horizon. The world you are in is vast with a low clouding sky. Lights and sounds flash like neurons, like thoughts, like lightening around you. These unreleased tracks are slow-mo, brooding leviathons. Picture Sam and Kevin Flynn riding the sky transport on the way to meet their maker. The tracks are not mixed but linger in your ears with an almost palpable energy. Meditation 2 with it's ominous synth keys and death march clicks resembles a gentle march towards a future oblivion - and looking to the future is of course what Craig and his fellow Detroit alumni do best.
Tracklist
Disc 1 - Aspiration
01. Kyle Hall & Kero - Zug Island
02. Macromism - News From Barcelona
03. Huxley - Little Things
04. Burnski - Lost in the Zoo (Martinez Brothers' Bronx Zoo Mix)
05. Loco Dice -Detox
06. Sam Ball - Handsome
07. Maan - L1 (ROD Remix) / tINI - My Shine (Carl Craig Remix)
08. Technasia - Bastille Days
09. 69 - Poi Et Pas (ROD Remix)
10. Arkist - Rendezvous (SCB 2013 Dub)
11. Tom Trago - Use Me Again (Carl Craig Refix Mix)
12. Rick Wilhite - Drum Patterns & Memories (Moodymann Mix)
13. The Egyptian Lover - Egypt Egypt
14. Ben Sims - Straight from Bolivia
15. Lance Desardi - The Power of Suggestion
Disc 2 - Inspiration
01. The Messengers - In The Jungle
02. The Temptations - Cloud Nine
03. Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
04. Prince Jammy - 256k Ram
05. African Head Charge - Crocodile Hand Luggage
06. David Lynch - Noah's Ark
07. Freeway - All My Life
08. Erykah Badu - Fall In Love (Your Funeral)
09. Moritz Von Oswald - Cocoon Dark Dub
10. E-Dancer - Feel The Mood
11. Derrick May - Icon
12. DeBarge - Stay With Me
13. Melody Gardot - Mira
14. Tribe - Livin' In A New Day
Disc 3 - Meditation
01. Carl Craig - Meditation 1 (Version)
02. Carl Craig - Meditation 2 (Version)
03. Carl Craig - Meditation 3 (Version)
04. Carl Craig - Meditation 4 (Version)
05. Carl Craig - Meditation 5 (Version)
06. Carl Craig - Meditation 6 (Version)
